Field Activity Description: Google Tools Presentation Reflection: Google tools are very powerful and unless a person clicks on the "More" button at the top of the Google screen, they don't always know they exist. The Google presentation I created for the TCEA SOSSIG room gave me the chance to spend time investigating all of the Google options. Checking out their lab is always interesting because you can find out what's new and even sign up to try it out sometimes! Working on this project made me aware of how many new things are actually being created every day. This was an example of just one company and the Internet has endless products available for use, specifically educational use. I've heard comments from people that you have to be careful using free options. "They may decide to start charging" or "they may stop providing the service". But I'm quite convinced that technology will continue to change and it is best to be adaptable and not reject free opportunities because of a fear of changing again. This project gave me additional training regarding topics that include Standards I, II, III, IV, V, and VIII. Examples of Standards integration include TF-III, teaching curriculum plans that include strategies for teachers to use technology to improve student learning and the the enhancement of professional practice as included in TF-V.
Field Activity Description: Moodle Presentation for the Technology Committee Reflection: Creating the Moodle Presentation for our Technology Committee gave me the chance to not only show the members what Moodle is and can do but also show them some examples of what teachers can do in their classrooms. This was an individual project that let me determine the content based on what I felt the members could appreciate and relate to. During the presentation I had to remind myself to explain clearly what I had done and how the software worked. Excitement is a good presentation skill but sometimes I have to remind myself that not everyone feels that way about technology! The training this project provided for included Standards I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VIII. The presentation provided support for technology plans and a contribution to our school vision as found in Standards TF-VII and VIII.
Field Activity Description: GIMP, ExamView Pro, and Podcasting Tutorials Reflection: Providing easy to follow directions for others to use technology has always been something I enjoy. The creation of these tutorials will provide simple instructions to help teachers and students with the photo editing, testing and podcasting software that we have available. Creating tutorials for teachers allows me to learn how specific I need to be and what works well for educators such as would they prefer video or document instructions. Standard III, facilitating technology-enhanced experiences and using methods and strategies for teaching concepts were two of the primary areas this project allowed me to master.
Field Activity Description: Creating Mac Shared Folders Tutorial Reflection: This assignment allowed me to learn how to use the Mac operating system to create folders that students and/or teachers can use to share files. For students, it allows them to drop assignments into a folder set up by the technology or instructor so no printing is required. This is useful for teachers to grade and to save money by not using paper. I had to "Google" information and test the files until I determined out how to make the options work. The knowledge gained has been very useful for utilizing the Mac computers capabilities to their fullest. Standards that were mastered through this exercise include Standard I, II, V, VI, and VII including areas such as technology understanding, planning learning environments, productivity provided by the simplifying on processes for students and teachers, and social, ethical, and human issues through the conservation of resources.
Field Activity Description: Gmail Contacts for Parents and Students Reflection: Setting up the contact listings for parents and students was interesting from the standpoint that I discovered how much contact availability some did or did not have. While we tend to think that most students and parents have technology access, that is not always the case. The use of the Gmail was very much appreciated by all who had access but those who did not were difficult to communicate with. Overall, I learned much about the economic status of the students at our school from a comparison of who had technology access by computer or cell phone. Parents were very appreciative of the communication and responses from the system. I feel that the best standards for this activity are V and VI. Providing a productive means of communication and attending to the social, ethical, legal, and human issues of communicating with students and parents/guardians.
Field Activity Description: Google Sites and Documents Lesson for Students Reflection: The use of Google for the classroom was enjoyed by all of the students and parents. I used the email contacts to let the parents know when their students had assignments posted and the link to get them. Seldom do students beyond grade school share much of what they do at school with their parents and I love the fact that posting student assignments online allows this. The process of creating the lessons helped me to plan for learning and the possible problems that could arise so I would be ready to adjust the lessons as needed. I expect that Google will continue to grow in use at our district and now I will be ready to help other teachers for their classes. The Google project also involved a presentation that may be used to teach others. The standards that I mastered with this project include I for the concepts I learned, II for developing learning environments, III while learning how to utilize the Google options, and V for productivity.
Field Activity Description: Internship Paperwork and Document Setup Reflection: The setup of the initial internship documents and paperwork completion applied primarily to Standards V and VII. The completion of this project gave me knowledge about the professional practices and procedures and planning that apply to education. Making sure I had everything as needed before I started using the documents made the process easier later in the course.
Field Activity Description: Standards Review and Project Drafting Reflection: The review of the standards and brainstorming that I did while identifying field based activities gave me the opportunity to become more familiar with the standards requirements and details about how to create learning opportunities. Developing the activities allowed me to practice Standard II, planning and designing.
Field Activity Description: SOSSIG Survey Reflection: Surveys are an excellent way to assess what others think and what they have learned. Creating the survey prepared me for creating assessments and evaluations of workshops and learning sessions. This activity allowed me to practice Standard IV methods of assessment and evaluation.
Field Activity Description: Technology Integration Project Meetings Reflection: The meetings regarding technology integration into classroom lessons provided gave me the chance to talk with teachers about what they were teaching and what we felt would be good options for using technology as applies to Standard II . It truly takes both sides, the subject matter and the technology aspect, to create the best lessons. This was a great opportunity to practice developing technology lessons and make choices that work well for teachers.
Field Activity Description: Internet Safety Project Reflection: The Internet Safety Project was a task that I really felt was important. Parents and teachers need to be sure that students know about the possible hazards of the Internet. Students use Internet unsupervised often and don't have the mental capacity to consistently make good judgments. Standard VI and the social, ethical, legal, and human issues are where this project falls. The assignment provided me the chance to overview what hazards students are exposed to and how to help prepare teachers to teach their students to be safe on the Internet.
Field Activity Description: ISTE Cloud Project Reflection: This activity was fun and allowed me to work with other technology professionals to produce a product to share what can be done with a variety of technology tools. We shared ideas and then determined who was using what so we could make sure that the project would go together. Working in a group lets you experience a variety of opinions and ideas and to help each other develop a plan. Standard I included the planning and designing we did before we started and Standard VIII included the plan for the future of technology and how it can be implemented.
Field Activity Description: Moodle Website Setup Reflection: Learning management systems are a very popular method of learning and continue to grow quickly. Setting up the Moodle site gave me the knowledge about how to handle the administration of the Moodle itself and Website design. I also used some of my HTML knowledge to modify the Moodle template. Planning and creating the Website and lesson gave me the practice for Standard II and the creation of learning environments.
Field Activity Description: Student Questionnaire for Internet and Cell Phone Safety Reflection: This activity allowed me to practice Standard IV methods of assessment and evaluation. Creating the questionnaire let me reflect on what the students should have learned and the best way to ask questions to determine if they understood the correct answers. The selection of questions also help to stress to the students what the most important aspects are.
Field Activity Description: HEH Training for Online Learning Management System Reflection: The online training experience provided me a chance to see what options there are for LMS systems. While the platform was similar to what I have used, it was a chance to see how others set up their systems. This experience provided an insight into Standard II, planning and standard III, learning and the curriculum.
Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2009, February). ISTE's Technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every k-12 leader should know and be able to do. Washington, DC: International Society for Technology in Education.
Internship Experience Reflections
Reflection: Google tools are very powerful and unless a person clicks on the "More" button at the top of the Google screen, they don't always know they exist. The Google presentation I created for the TCEA SOSSIG room gave me the chance to spend time investigating all of the Google options. Checking out their lab is always interesting because you can find out what's new and even sign up to try it out sometimes! Working on this project made me aware of how many new things are actually being created every day. This was an example of just one company and the Internet has endless products available for use, specifically educational use. I've heard comments from people that you have to be careful using free options. "They may decide to start charging" or "they may stop providing the service". But I'm quite convinced that technology will continue to change and it is best to be adaptable and not reject free opportunities because of a fear of changing again. This project gave me additional training regarding topics that include Standards I, II, III, IV, V, and VIII. Examples of Standards integration include TF-III, teaching curriculum plans that include strategies for teachers to use technology to improve student learning and the the enhancement of professional practice as included in TF-V.
Reflection: Creating the Moodle Presentation for our Technology Committee gave me the chance to not only show the members what Moodle is and can do but also show them some examples of what teachers can do in their classrooms. This was an individual project that let me determine the content based on what I felt the members could appreciate and relate to. During the presentation I had to remind myself to explain clearly what I had done and how the software worked. Excitement is a good presentation skill but sometimes I have to remind myself that not everyone feels that way about technology! The training this project provided for included Standards I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VIII. The presentation provided support for technology plans and a contribution to our school vision as found in Standards TF-VII and VIII.
Reflection: Providing easy to follow directions for others to use technology has always been something I enjoy. The creation of these tutorials will provide simple instructions to help teachers and students with the photo editing, testing and podcasting software that we have available. Creating tutorials for teachers allows me to learn how specific I need to be and what works well for educators such as would they prefer video or document instructions. Standard III, facilitating technology-enhanced experiences and using methods and strategies for teaching concepts were two of the primary areas this project allowed me to master.
Reflection: This assignment allowed me to learn how to use the Mac operating system to create folders that students and/or teachers can use to share files. For students, it allows them to drop assignments into a folder set up by the technology or instructor so no printing is required. This is useful for teachers to grade and to save money by not using paper. I had to "Google" information and test the files until I determined out how to make the options work. The knowledge gained has been very useful for utilizing the Mac computers capabilities to their fullest. Standards that were mastered through this exercise include Standard I, II, V, VI, and VII including areas such as technology understanding, planning learning environments, productivity provided by the simplifying on processes for students and teachers, and social, ethical, and human issues through the conservation of resources.
Reflection: Setting up the contact listings for parents and students was interesting from the standpoint that I discovered how much contact availability some did or did not have. While we tend to think that most students and parents have technology access, that is not always the case. The use of the Gmail was very much appreciated by all who had access but those who did not were difficult to communicate with. Overall, I learned much about the economic status of the students at our school from a comparison of who had technology access by computer or cell phone. Parents were very appreciative of the communication and responses from the system. I feel that the best standards for this activity are V and VI. Providing a productive means of communication and attending to the social, ethical, legal, and human issues of communicating with students and parents/guardians.
Reflection: The use of Google for the classroom was enjoyed by all of the students and parents. I used the email contacts to let the parents know when their students had assignments posted and the link to get them. Seldom do students beyond grade school share much of what they do at school with their parents and I love the fact that posting student assignments online allows this. The process of creating the lessons helped me to plan for learning and the possible problems that could arise so I would be ready to adjust the lessons as needed. I expect that Google will continue to grow in use at our district and now I will be ready to help other teachers for their classes. The Google project also involved a presentation that may be used to teach others. The standards that I mastered with this project include I for the concepts I learned, II for developing learning environments, III while learning how to utilize the Google options, and V for productivity.
Reflection: The setup of the initial internship documents and paperwork completion applied primarily to Standards V and VII. The completion of this project gave me knowledge about the professional practices and procedures and planning that apply to education. Making sure I had everything as needed before I started using the documents made the process easier later in the course.
Reflection: The review of the standards and brainstorming that I did while identifying field based activities gave me the opportunity to become more familiar with the standards requirements and details about how to create learning opportunities. Developing the activities allowed me to practice Standard II, planning and designing.
Reflection: Surveys are an excellent way to assess what others think and what they have learned. Creating the survey prepared me for creating assessments and evaluations of workshops and learning sessions. This activity allowed me to practice Standard IV methods of assessment and evaluation.
Reflection: The meetings regarding technology integration into classroom lessons provided gave me the chance to talk with teachers about what they were teaching and what we felt would be good options for using technology as applies to Standard II . It truly takes both sides, the subject matter and the technology aspect, to create the best lessons. This was a great opportunity to practice developing technology lessons and make choices that work well for teachers.
Reflection: The Internet Safety Project was a task that I really felt was important. Parents and teachers need to be sure that students know about the possible hazards of the Internet. Students use Internet unsupervised often and don't have the mental capacity to consistently make good judgments. Standard VI and the social, ethical, legal, and human issues are where this project falls. The assignment provided me the chance to overview what hazards students are exposed to and how to help prepare teachers to teach their students to be safe on the Internet.
Reflection: This activity was fun and allowed me to work with other technology professionals to produce a product to share what can be done with a variety of technology tools. We shared ideas and then determined who was using what so we could make sure that the project would go together. Working in a group lets you experience a variety of opinions and ideas and to help each other develop a plan. Standard I included the planning and designing we did before we started and Standard VIII included the plan for the future of technology and how it can be implemented.
Reflection: Learning management systems are a very popular method of learning and continue to grow quickly. Setting up the Moodle site gave me the knowledge about how to handle the administration of the Moodle itself and Website design. I also used some of my HTML knowledge to modify the Moodle template. Planning and creating the Website and lesson gave me the practice for Standard II and the creation of learning environments.
Reflection: This activity allowed me to practice Standard IV methods of assessment and evaluation. Creating the questionnaire let me reflect on what the students should have learned and the best way to ask questions to determine if they understood the correct answers. The selection of questions also help to stress to the students what the most important aspects are.
Reflection: The online training experience provided me a chance to see what options there are for LMS systems. While the platform was similar to what I have used, it was a chance to see how others set up their systems. This experience provided an insight into Standard II, planning and standard III, learning and the curriculum.